Punjab Orders Private Schools to Offer Free Education to 10% Deserving Students

The Punjab Assembly Standing Committee on Education has instructed all private schools across the province to fully enforce the legal requirement of allocating 10% of their seats free of cost to deserving and financially disadvantaged students. Educational institutions have been given 10 days to comply with the directive.

The committee cautioned that private schools failing to implement the policy may face legal action, including the suspension or cancellation of their operating licences.

Officials stated that the initiative is intended to provide children from low-income families with equal access to quality education and create greater educational opportunities for those in need.

The committee also urged the Education Department to play a more active role in identifying eligible students and facilitating their admissions instead of depending entirely on information submitted by private schools.

According to officials, this measure is expected to increase transparency, reduce the chances of misuse, and ensure that the benefits of the policy reach genuinely deserving families.

Authorities will gather compliance reports from private educational institutions throughout Punjab to assess implementation and confirm that schools are meeting their legal responsibilities.

The decision highlights the government’s continued efforts to expand access to education, encourage social equality, and ensure that every child has the opportunity to receive a quality education regardless of their economic background.